Wiltshire Libraries to reopen next week

Twenty-two of the county's libraries and three mobile libraries will reopen for browsing from 12 April, alongside the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.

During the national lockdown, some Wiltshire libraries have continued to provide access to public computers and books through their order and collect service. Library users will once again be able to browse for their own library material at all of these libraries. They will also be able to continue accessing bookable public computers, except at Aldbourne Library due to lack of space. Tidworth Library will offer browsing at weekends only, with Order and Collect during the week.

Box, Durrington, Ludgershall, Lyneham, Market Lavington, Purton, Ramsbury and Tisbury will remain closed for now. The council is working with the libraries' volunteers to reopen these as soon as possible.

As each library branch has unique staffing and building considerations, some locations are taking a phased approach to re-introducing elements of their service. Libraries will also continue to provide an innovative service to their users with elements of the service being offered on a digital platform.

The libraries will operate with COVID-19 safety measures in place to ensure social distancing and keep everyone as safe as possible. As part of safety precautions, 'browsing time' will be restricted to a maximum of 30 minutes to limit the number of people in a library at any one time.

Library material borrowed before lockdown is due back from the beginning of May at the earliest.

The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre will have limited reopening from Tuesday 13 April between 9.30am to 5pm, but customers will need to book visits in advance. Spaces are limited due to social distancing requirements and to ensure customer and staff safety. Customers will be asked to order any documents they wish to consult in advance of their visit, as documents will be quarantined 72 hours before and after their visit.

Library opening times and contact details can be found on the Library locations and opening times webpage and mobile library times on the Mobile Libraries webpage.

The online library content, which has proven to be hugely popular, will continue. Visit Active Communities resources webpage for more information.

For further information about the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, visit www.wshc.org.uk. To book a visit email archives@wiltshire.gov.uk